Open Call for Expression of Interest: Assistant Professorship in BioRobotics
A new position of Assistant Professor (three years appointment possibly renewable for two additional years) (Ricercatore a Tempo Determinato ai sensi dell’art. 24, c.3 lett. A, L240/2010) in the area at the interface between Artificial Intelligence, Material Science and Engineering, Robotics and Biomedical Engineering is going to be opened at The BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, within a Strategic Initiative aimed at building a world-class “Department in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence”, with 15M€ investments from the Ministry of Education and Research. The position will be covered by means of a public competitive examination according to the Italian law. Before the formal opening of the position, The BioRobotics Institute is calling for expression of interest from potential candidates interested in applying to it.
In an attempt to strengthening its international position in the field of robotics science and engineering, and to enhance the areas of expertise already developed in the faculty, The BioRobotics Institute is looking for researchers at the early stage of their career, interested in addressing multidisciplinary research that includes the design, development and assessment of robots at large, and of bioinspired and biomedical systems.
PROFILE
The challenge of the strategic initiative is to build next generation robots, with new bodies and new brains. Thus the call is open to a wide range of young experts in either Artificial Intelligence or Material Science and Engineering.
Artificial Intelligence. We are looking for an expert in natural and/or artificial intelligence interested in studying the learning process in robots and in humans, in the framework of intelligent robotics, human-robot integration and symbiosis for different applications going from neuroscience and neuroprosthetics to rehabilitation and surgical robotics, to autonomous robots. The scientific questions related to the learning process are fundamental for the progress of robotics, bionics and biomedical engineering. We are interested in studying the development of learning, of cognitive abilities and skills and to implement models in robots and in human-robot interfaces.
Material Science and Engineering. We are looking for an expert in the field interested in developing and testing new materials for robots with embedded smart behaviours like sensing, actuation, self-healing, self-powering, biocompatibility, biodegradability properties and so on. Experts in additive manufacturing techniques, in the synthesis of biological tissues, in stiffness changing materials or in mechatronics systems are also very welcome.
Applicants must have an earned doctorate in an appropriate science or engineering field. The successful applicant will be required to teach; advise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students; develop an independent, externally funded research program; participate in all aspects of the Institute activities; and serve the profession. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required. Preference will be given to candidates with recent and relevant hands-on experience with applied research and technology development in robotics and bioengineering, and a promising track for academic leadership. Applicants should consult the Institute website to review our academic and research programs. The successful applicant will join forces with a team of faculty members already enrolled by the Institute and to be recruited within the strategic initiative.
Application procedure
Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement, and copies of no more than three publications. They should also include the names of four individuals to submit letters of recommendation on their behalf. This information must be submitted by email to artificialintelligence@santannapisa.it by July 26, 2019 when review of applications will begin. Please do not use that email for inquiries as it will not be checked.
After the closure of the present call for expression of interest, the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna will open the official call for the post, as required by the Italian regulation for academic employment. It is expected to fill the position by Fall/Winter 2019.
Scuola Sant’Anna is an equal-opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply.
